Vehicle door well step apparatus

ABSTRACT

Step apparatuses that removably couple to a door latch element (e.g., a U-shaped striker element) of a vehicle are described. A step apparatus may include a hook element that enables the step apparatus to hang from a door latch element in a vehicle door well. A step apparatus may also be able to extend through a door latch element such that the step apparatus may couple to the door latch element in an upright position. A step apparatus may include one or more than one step structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/443,890, titled “Vehicle Door Well Step Apparatus,” filed onJan. 9, 2017. The aforementioned patent application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

People have routinely placed items on the roof of their vehicle. Forexample, people may place outdoor equipment, luggage, or other items ona rack on top of their vehicle. For taller vehicles and/or shortindividuals, it may be difficult for a person to easily access itemslocated on the roof of a vehicle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides step apparatuses that removably coupleto a door latch element (e.g., a U-shaped striker element) of a vehicle.Step apparatuses of the present disclosure may include one or more thanone step and may be sized to accommodate use with vehicles of variousheights and various sized door latch elements.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a step apparatusincluding a load-supporting step structure having a flat step surfacesized to provide a substantially horizontal step when the step apparatusis releasably coupled to a latch element disposed within a vehicle doorwell. The step apparatus also includes an elongate support elementcoupled to the load-supporting step structure and configured toreleasably couple to the latch element.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a step apparatusincluding a load-supporting step structure having a step surface and anelongate support element coupled to the load-supporting step structureand configured to releasably couple to a latch element disposed within avehicle door well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a door latch element within a door well.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a step apparatus removably coupled to a doorlatch element in a first configuration according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a side view of a step apparatus removably coupled to a doorlatch element in a second configuration according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a side view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3C is a side view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3D is a top view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3E is a top view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a step apparatus removably coupled to a doorlatch element according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a side view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a side view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a side view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5C is a side view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5D is a top view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5E is a bottom view of a step apparatus according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to step apparatuses for providing stepsthat are removably coupled to a door latch element of a vehicle. Whilethe below discloses step apparatuses that may be used with door latchelements of vehicles, the present disclosure is not so limited. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the step apparatuses of thepresent disclosure may removably couple to door latch elements ofobjects other than vehicles and additionally may removably couple toobjects other than door latch elements.

A step apparatus of the present disclosure includes a load-supportingstep structure and an elongate element for anchoring the step apparatusto a latch element disposed within a door well. The latch element caninclude a conventional “striker” latch portion of a vehicle's door latchmechanism. The door latch mechanism can include a U-shaped latch elementattached to the door well of the vehicle thereby allowing for the stepapparatus to be removably coupled thereto without modification to thedoor well itself. The step apparatus can be coupled to door latchelement when the door of the vehicle is open (or slightly open). Thestep apparatus can be used to easily access the roof of the vehicle towhich it is coupled. The removability of the step apparatus from thedoor well of the vehicle allows for use of the step apparatus withoutalteration to the vehicle. As such, the present disclosure provides asimple, unique, and novel manner in which to provide a step to accessthe roof of a vehicle without alteration to the vehicle itself.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional door latch element 100 isillustrated. The door latch element 100 is disposed within a door well105 of a vehicle. Often the door latch element 100 is disposed on theinterior of the door well 105 of the vehicle approximately half waybetween a floor and a roof (not illustrated) of the door well 105. Thedoor latch element 100 is also often disposed opposite to a hinge thatattaches a door of the vehicle to the door well 105. Such is well knownin the art and therefore is not discussed in detail herein. The door(not shown) generally includes complementary latch elements that securethe door to the door latch element 100 when the door is in the closedposition. When the door is in an open position, the door latch element100 is exposed, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The door latch element 100 includes a base plate 110 that is affixed tothe door well 105 using one or more fasteners 115 (e.g., mechanicalscrews, bolts, or other mechanical and non-mechanical fasteners). Asillustrated, the fasteners 115 are mechanical screws or bolts securingthe base plate 110 to the door well 105. The door latch element 100 alsoincludes a U-shaped latch element 120 extending from the base plate 110.The U-shaped latch element 120 and the base plate 110 may together forma void configured to allow interlocking features of the door latchmechanism to connect to the U-shaped latch element 120.

While the present disclosure describes step apparatuses being removablycoupled to the door latch element 100, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the step apparatuses of the present disclosure mayremovably couple to differently sized and/or shaped door latch elements100 and/or other aspects of door latch mechanisms (e.g., a mechanismlocated on the door of the vehicle, an aperture located on the door,etc.) without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a step apparatus 200 is illustrated. Thestep apparatus 200 is removably coupled to the door latch element 100disposed within a vehicle's door well. The step apparatus 200 can beused in both a hanging position as illustrated in FIG. 2A or an uprightposition as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

The step apparatus 200 includes a load-supporting step structure 205having a first flat or substantially flat step surface 205A sized toprovide a horizontal or substantially horizontal step when the stepapparatus 200 is coupled to the door latch element 100 in the uprightposition as illustrated in FIG. 2B. The step structure 205 can alsoinclude a second flat or substantially flat step surface 205B sized toprovide a horizontal or substantially horizontal step when the stepapparatus 200 is coupled to the door latch element 100 in the hangingposition as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

The step apparatus 200 includes an elongate support element 210connected to the step structure 205. The elongate support element 210 isconfigured to releasably couple the step apparatus 200 to the door latchelement 100.

As previously discussed, the door latch element 100 may include a voiddefined by the U-shaped latch element 120 and the base plate 110. Theelongate support element 210 may extend within and through the void. Theelongate support element 210 can extend substantially entirely throughthe void (as illustrated in FIG. 2B) or can partially extend through thevoid (as illustrated in FIG. 2A).

The elongate support element 210 can include a first end 215 that isproximate to the step structure 205 and a second end 220 that is distalfrom the step structure 205 along the elongate support element 210. Theelongate support element 210 can include a hook-shaped element 225disposed at the second end 220 of the elongate support element 210. Thehook-shaped element 225 removably couples to the U-shaped latch element120, thereby enabling the step apparatus 200 to hang from the U-shapedlatch element 120 such that the first step surface 205A is located apredetermined distance D from a top surface of the U-shaped latchelement 120 (as illustrated in FIG. 2A). One skilled in the art willappreciate that the distance D may be altered by altering a length ofthe elongate support element 210 and/or altering a configuration of thehook-shaped element 225. The distance D may be configured in view of thevehicle(s) to which the step apparatus 200 is to couple, the size of theuser of the step apparatus 200, as well as other considerations. Oneskilled in the art will additionally appreciate that the size of thehook-shaped element 225 may vary, provided that the hook-shapedelement's size permits the second end 220 of the elongate supportelement 210 to extend through the void of the door latch element 100.

The first end 215 of the elongate support element 210 can be thickerthan the second end 220 of the elongate support element 210. This mayprovide additional structural support to the step element 205 at anintersection of the elongate support element 210 and the step element205. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the thickness andstrength of the first end 215 of the elongate support element 210 mayvary depending on the weight of a human that is intended to use the stepapparatus 200.

The elongate support element 210 may include one or more convex portions(or protrusions) 230 and one or more concave portions (or indentations)235. The convex portion(s) 230 and the concave portion(s) 235 may addrigidity to the elongate support element 210, thereby allowing the stepapparatus 200 to support greater amounts of weight.

The convex portion(s) 230 and the concave portion(s) 235 may also beconfigured to couple to the U-shaped latch element 120. One skilled inthe art will appreciate that the U-shaped latch element 120 may beconfigured smaller than that illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The smallerU-shaped latch element 120 may be sized such that the elongate supportelement 210 may not fully extend through the void of the door latchelement 100 to an extent where the second step surface 205B is able tocontact the U-shaped latch element 120. Yet, the smaller U-shaped latchelement 120 may be sized such that the elongate support element 210 mayextend through the void such that the convex portion(s) 230 and theconcave portion(s) 235 may contact the U-shaped latch element 120 andsupport use of the step apparatus 200 by a human in such aconfiguration. Therefore, the convex portion(s) 230 and the concaveportion(s) 235 may enable the step apparatus 200 to be used with doorlatch elements 100 of various sizes.

The dimensions, size, and strength of the step element 205 may beconfigured based on sizes and proportions of humans. For example, thesize of the step element 205 can be based on the size of human feet.Sizes and proportions of humans are known through anthropometry, whichrefers to the measurement of the human individual. The variousanthropometric reference data for children and adults is periodicallyreleased by the National Health Statistics Reports and includes data forsizes of limbs, weights, and other human statistics, which may beconsidered in designing various characteristics and parameters of thestep apparatus 200 including, for example, the size and strength of thestep element 205 and the elongate support element 210. For example, thebelow reproduced table illustrates common weight in kilograms for malesage 20 and over. One skilled in the art will appreciate that similardata related to foot length and breadth may also be considered indesigning characteristics and parameters of the step apparatus 200.

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TABLE 5 Weight in kilograms for males aged 20 and over and number ofexamined persons, mean, standard error of the mean, and selectedpercentiles, by race and ethnicity and age: United States, 2007-2010Number of Standard examined error of Percentile Race and ethnicity andage persons Mean the mean 5th 10th 15th 25th 50th 75th 85th 90th 95thAll racial and ethnic groups¹ Kilograms 20 years and over . . . 5,65188.7 0.45 61.5 66.5 69.7 75.0 86.1 98.9 107.2 114.4 124.1 20-29 years .. . 894 83.4 0.85 58.4 62.6 65.3 69.5 80.1 93.7 101.6 109.0 116.8 30-39years . . . 948 90.5 0.75 63.3 67.8 70.8 75.4 86.7 101.1 110.1 117.8128.0 40-49 years . . . 933 91.0 0.96 64.4 69.5 73.5 78.5 87.9 100.6108.6 116.2 126.3 50-59 years . . . 934 91.3 1.10 63.8 69.0 72.9 78.288.6 102.9 109.8 117.6 126.6 60-69 years . . . 933 90.5 0.76 61.7 67.970.9 76.4 88.5 101.2 108.3 115.1 127.4 70-79 years . . . 649 86.5 0.8862.6 66.8 70.4 75.1 84.7 95.1 102.9 109.4 117.9 80 years and over . . .360 79.3 0.81 57.6 61.5 64.1 69.0 77.9 88.2 94.3 97.3 104.5 Non-Hispanicwhite 20 years and over . . . 2,738 90.4 0.42 63.7 68.9 72.2 77.3 88.0100.6 108.7 115.6 124.1 20-39 years . . . 796 88.3 0.77 61.5 65.9 69.473.8 85.3 98.5 107.9 113.5 122.7 40-59 years . . . 832 92.9 0.71 66.472.1 75.0 80.4 90.0 103.1 111.9 117.7 128.7 60 years and over . . .1,110 89.0 0.55 63.5 69.0 72.2 76.6 87.0 98.5 105.6 112.6 121.0Non-Hispanic black 20 years and over . . . 1,094 90.4 0.74 60.9 65.167.9 74.0 86.8 101.8 111.4 120.1 132.5 20-39 years . . . 356 89.9 1.4361.3 64.2 66.6 72.1 85.6 101.4 111.7 120.0 134.3 40-59 years . . . 37292.1 1.26 60.5 66.2 71.2 76.9 89.1 103.3 113.3 120.8 132.4 60 years andover . . . 366 87.8 1.15 58.0 63.8 67.1 72.0 85.3 98.0 106.5 116.4 128.8Hispanic² 20 years and over . . . 1,541 84.4 0.88 60.4 65.0 67.3 71.481.6 93.2 100.2 107.3 121.0 20-39 years . . . 573 84.0 1.21 58.6 63.766.3 70.3 79.9 92.8 100.4 109.4 123.2 40-59 years . . . 577 85.9 0.8064.2 68.2 70.3 74.9 83.6 94.2 101.3 105.4 117.0 60 years and over . . .391 82.0 1.13 58.6 63.0 66.5 70.2 80.4 90.9 96.6 101.5 109.4 MexicanAmerican 20 years and over . . . 991 84.1 1.04 60.4 65.0 67.3 71.3 81.492.8 99.2 106.9 121.4 20-39 years . . . 386 84.0 1.48 59.4 63.5 66.270.3 80.1 92.9 100.1 109.5 125.3 40-59 years . . . 371 85.0 0.90 64.068.0 70.1 73.9 82.9 93.7 99.7 104.0 115.8 60 years and over . . . 23481.9 1.44 59.3 63.0 67.1 70.6 80.4 90.4 94.8 97.6 109.1 ¹Persons ofother races and ethnicities are included. ²Mexican-American persons areincluded in the Hispanic group. SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health andNutrition Examination Survey.

The step apparatus 200 can be made of a material such as, but notlimited to, extruded aluminum, cast aluminum, steel, titanium, polymerplastics, graphite materials, a combination thereof, or other suitablematerials.

Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3E, an example of the step apparatus 200is illustrated wherein the second end 220 of the elongate supportelement 210 is sized to extend through the void created by the U-shapedlatch element 120 and the base plate 110. The second end 220 of theelongate support element 210 includes a hook-shaped element 225 sized tohang the step apparatus 200 from the U-shaped latch element 120. Theelongate support element 210 includes a door well biased surface and alatch element biased surface. For example, when the step apparatus 200is coupled to the door latch element 100, a first surface 305 is biasedagainst the door well. For further example, when the step apparatus 200is in the hanging position (as illustrated in FIG. 2A), a second surface310 (proximate to or encompassed by the second end 220 of the elongatesupport element 210) is biased against the U-shaped latch element 120.For yet further example, when the step apparatus 200 is in the uprightposition (as illustrated in FIG. 2B), a third surface 315 (proximate toor encompassed by the first end 215 of the elongate support element 210)may be biased against the U-shaped latch element 120. Such biasing ofsurfaces may be caused by gravity and/or a non-gravitational force beingapplied to the step structure 205 by a user or some other object. Thesecond surface 310 may be distal from the step structure 205 along theelongated support element 210 and the third surface 315 may be proximateto the step structure 205 with respect to the elongated support element210. The step structure 205 may include opposing load-bearing stepsurfaces 205A and 205B for use in the upright position and hangingposition, respectively.

The elongate support element 210 may be configured to have a differentlysized first surface 305 depending upon implementation. For example, in afirst configuration the first surface 305 may be arched to a firstdegree, in a second configuration the first surface 305 may be arched toa second degree, etc. One skilled in the art will appreciate that thedegree of arching of the first surface 305 may result in a differentamount of surface contact between the first surface 305 and the doorwell (and/or the door latch element 100, and in particular the baseplate 110). Different amounts of arching, and as a result differentamounts of surface contact, may result in different amounts of wear onpaint applied to the door well, different amounts of stabilizingfriction between the door well and the first surface 305, as well asother results.

The distance between the second end 220 and the first end 215 of theelongate support element 210 may be selected to place the step structure205 at a predetermined position within the door well of the vehicle. Forexample, the predetermined position can be selected to place the stepstructure 205 at a predetermined distance D (as illustrated in FIGS. 2Aand 2B) below the U-shaped latch element 120 of the door latch element100.

The first step surface 205A and/or the second step surface 205B may haverubber, grip tape, or some other friction providing material appliedthereto. Alternatively, the first step surface 205A and/or the secondstep surface 205B may be manufactured to include rubber or some otherfriction providing material. In an example, the first step surface 205Aand/or the second step surface 205B may include protrusions 320 thatprovide grip to an object interacting with the first step surface 205Aand/or the second step surface 205B. The protrusions 320 may bemanufactured as part of the first step surface 205A and/or the secondstep surface 205B or the protrusions may be manufactured as part of amaterial that is applied to the first step surface 205A and/or thesecond step surface 205B.

In an example, the elongate support element 210 may be coupled to thesecond step surface 205B (as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3D). Inanother example, the elongate support element 210 may extend at leastpartially through the step structure 205 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3C and3E). While not illustrated, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe elongate support element 210 may include one or more surfaces thatprotrude perpendicularly from a major axis of the elongate supportelement 210 and that extend along a major plane of the step structure205 such that the surface(s) may couple to the first step surface 205Aand/or the second step surface 205B.

Various dimensions of the step apparatus 200 are illustrated in FIGS. 3Athrough 3E (and other figures). The dimensions are represented in inchesand are merely illustrative. For example, the illustrated dimensions canvary between about 20% and about 100% depending upon implementationrequirements. Thus, the dimensions illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3Eare not limiting and can be varied according to alternative, improved,and/or particular applications. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat less than all of the dimensions illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3Emay be altered in a single instantiation of the step apparatus 200, orall of the dimensions may be altered. One skilled in the art willfurther appreciate that scaling of the dimensions illustrated in FIGS.3A through 3E may or may not be maintained when dimensions are alteredfrom those illustrated.

As previously discussed, aspects of the step apparatus 200 can be varieddepending on the location of the door latch element 100 in a door well,the size of the vehicle, the desired height of the step, or on any otherbasis. In addition, the step apparatus 200 can include more than onestep element. For example, referring to FIGS. 4A through 4C, a stepapparatus 400 is illustrated having a first step structure 405 and asecond step structure 410. The first step structure 405 may be identicalto the second step structure 410, or they may be different with respectto size, shape, friction surfaces, or some other feature. The secondstep structure 410 has a first flat or substantially flat step surface410A and a second flat or substantially flat step surface 410B sized toprovide a second horizontal or substantially horizontal step 410 whenthe step apparatus 400 is coupled to the door latch element 100 in thehanging and upright configurations, respectively.

The first step structure 405 and the second step structure 410 may becoupled to a single elongate support element 415. The elongate supportelement 415 may include the features previously discussed with referenceto the elongate support element 210, but may additionally include anextension element 415E interconnecting the first step structure 405 tothe second step structure 410. Alternatively, the elongate supportelement 415 may be separate from the extension element 415E (e.g., theelongate support element 415 may couple to a first surface 405A of thefirst step structure 405 and the extension portion 415 may couple to asecond surface 405B of the first step structure 405). FIG. 4Aillustrates the step apparatus 400 in the hanging configuration. Alength of the extension element 415E may be configured based on thelocation of the door latch element 100 in a door well, the size of thevehicle, the desired height of the steps with respect to the vehicleand/or the Earth's surface, the desired distance between the first stepstructure 405 and the second step structure 410, or on any other basis

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A through 4C, the step apparatus (200/400) mayextend parallel (or substantially parallel) to the door well surface, towhich the door latch element 100 is coupled, but within the door well.As further illustrated in FIGS. 2A through 4C, the step structures(205/405/410) may extend perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular)to the door well surface, to which the door latch element 100 iscoupled, but within the door well. This is opposed to extending out ofthe door well towards an exterior or interior of the vehicle. Otherconfigurations are anticipated within the teachings herein, but variousembodiments disclosed herein include advantages associated thereto.

The shape of the step structure (205/405/410) can be varied. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 5A through 5E, a modified step structure 500is illustrated. The shape of the step structure 500 has been altered toavoid sharp corners at the end of the step structure 500 distal from thedoor well surface that the step apparatus contacts. The dimensionsillustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5E are illustrative only, butnonetheless show what may be deemed beneficial examples of the sizecontemplated for a step apparatus to be used by a human.

According to the present disclosure, the step structure (205/405/410)can have opposing parallel (or substantially parallel) surfaces that canbe interchangeably used depending on how the removable step apparatus(200/400) is coupled to the door latch element 100. In some examples,the elongate support element (210/415) extends perpendicular (orsubstantially perpendicular) to one or more step structures(205/405/410) and includes a hook-shaped element 225 sized andconfigured to extend through (and in some uses hang from) the door latchelement 100.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularexamples described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It is understood by those within the art that, in general, terms usedherein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at leasttwo recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in thoseinstances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the senseone having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “asystem having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not belimited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, quadrants, thirds, etc. As a non-limiting example, each rangediscussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middlethird and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled inthe art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” and the like includethe number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently brokendown into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understoodby one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 routes refers to groups having 1,2, or 3 routes. Similarly, a group having 1-5 impact zones refers togroups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 impact zones and more or less, and soforth.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intendedto be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims. All references recited herein are incorporated hereinby specific reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A step apparatus, comprising: a firstload-supporting step structure having a first flat step surface sized toprovide a first substantially horizontal step when the step apparatus isreleasably coupled to a latch element disposed within a vehicle doorwell; and an elongate support element coupled to the firstload-supporting step structure and configured to releasably couple tothe latch element.
 2. The step apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latchelement includes a U-shaped striker latch element.
 3. The step apparatusof claim 1, wherein a first end of the elongate support element is sizedto extend through a void of the latch element, the first end beingdistal from the load-supporting step structure along the elongatesupport element.
 4. The step apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first endof the elongate support element includes a hook-shaped element thatreleasably couples to the latch element, the first end being distal fromthe load-supporting step structure along the elongate support element.5. The step apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate support elementincludes a door well biased surface and a latch element biased surface.6. The step apparatus of claim 5, wherein the door well biased surfaceis further from the load-supporting step structure than the latchelement biased surface when the step apparatus is releasably coupled tothe latch element in an upright position.
 7. The step apparatus of claim5, wherein the door well biased surface is closer to the load-supportingstep structure than the latch element biased surface when the stepapparatus is releasably coupled to the latch element in a hangingposition.
 8. The step apparatus of claim 1, wherein the load-supportingstep structure includes a second flat step surface parallel to the firstflat step surface, the first flat step surface being load bearing whenthe step apparatus is releasably coupled to the latch element in anupright position, the second flat step surface being load beaming whenthe step apparatus is releasably coupled to the latch element in ahanging position.
 9. The step apparatus of claim 1, wherein: theelongate support element includes a first end proximate to theload-supporting step structure and a second end distal from theload-supporting step structure along the elongate support element; and adistance between the first end and the second end is selected to placethe load-supporting step structure at a predetermined position withinthe door well.
 10. The step apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: asecond load-supporting step structure having a second flat step surfacesized to provide a second substantially horizontal step when the stepapparatus is releasably coupled to the latch element.
 11. A stepapparatus, comprising: a first step structure having a first stepsurface; and an elongate support element coupled to the step structureand configured to releasably couple to a latch element disposed within avehicle door well.
 12. The step apparatus of claim 11, wherein the latchelement includes a U-shaped striker latch element.
 13. The stepapparatus of claim 11, wherein a first end of the elongate supportelement is sized to extend through a void of the latch element, thefirst end being distal from the step structure along the elongatesupport element.
 14. The step apparatus of claim 11, wherein a first endof the elongate support element includes a hook-shaped element thatreleasably couples to the latch element, the first end being distal fromthe step structure along the elongate support element.
 15. The stepapparatus of claim 11, wherein: the elongate support element includes adoor well biased surface and a latch element biased surface; the doorwell biased surface is further from the step structure than the latchelement biased surface when the step apparatus is releasably coupled tothe latch element in an upright position; and the door well biasedsurface is closer to the step structure than the latch element biasedsurface when the step apparatus is releasably coupled to the latchelement in a hanging position.
 16. The step apparatus of claim 11,wherein the elongate support element includes a first convex portion, afirst concave portion, and a second convex portion that enable theelongate support element to releasably couple to differently sized latchelements when in an upright position.
 17. The step apparatus of claim11, wherein the step structure includes a second step surface parallelto the first step surface, the first step surface being load bearingwhen the step apparatus is releasably coupled to the latch element in anupright position, the second step surface being load bearing when thestep apparatus is releasably coupled to the latch element in a hangingposition.
 18. The step apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the elongatesupport element includes a first end proximate to the step structure anda second end distal from the step structure along the elongate supportelement; and a distance between the first end and the second end isselected to place the step structure at a predetermined position withinthe door well.
 19. The step apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: asecond step structure having a second step surface.
 20. The stepapparatus of claim 19, wherein: the first step structure is coupled tothe second step structure via the elongate support element; or the firststep structure is coupled to the second step structure via an extensionelement.